Shoppers do their bit to help homeless (From Worcester News)

Shoppers do their bit to help homeless

10:20am Monday 14th January 2013 in News By Sarah Davies

SHOPPERS have helped ensure homeless people in Worcester keep warm this winter.

Staff and volunteers from St Paul’s Hostel in Tallow Hill held a donation drive over the weekend at Sainsbury’s in St John’s to collect socks, scarves, hats, jumpers and other items of warm clothing for people using its night shelter.

The project, which is open between November and March, provides safe and warm overnight accommodation for people who would otherwise find themselves sleeping rough at the coldest time of year.

A similar event held in November saw customers give enough donations of food to fill more than seven shopping trollies, which will see the hostel through until the end of the current project.

Donna King, director of services at the hostel and night shelter manager, said she had been overwhelmed by the generosity of Worcester people. “The night shelter is a life-saver.

On average, we have between 18 and 25 people each night. We really want to thank people [for their donations].

“We’ve been overwhelmed, so much so that we think we can share our food with other agencies in the city.”

Mayor of Worcester Roger Berry, who has chosen St Paul’s Hostel and Maggs Day Centre as his mayoral charities, went along to give the volunteers some support on Saturday.

Councillor Berry said: “It’s really great to be supporting St Paul’s and to see the level of awareness people have about the problem of homelessness in Worcester, and it’s really nice to see the co-operation we have got from Sainsbury’s.

“It’s great to see people coming forward and there’s a good feeling from the community towards St Paul’s.” Coun Berry will be hosting the city’s first Homelessness Action Day on Saturday, January 26, at the Guildhall.